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1909 



The Silver Lining 



Nelson Glazier Morton 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



THE 
SILVER LINING 

AND OTHER POEMS 

BY 

NELSON GLAZIER MORTON 




BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 
1909 



Copyright, 1909, by Nelson Glazier Morton 



All Rights Reserved 






The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. a. 



©CU251S70 



DEDICATION 

To the one whose love directly inspired 
many of these poems, and whose sympathy 
and encouragement are the inspiration of all 
my literary effort— TO MY WIFE—this 
little volume is gratefully and lovingly dedi- 
cated. 



CONTENTS 

THE ABIDING HOPE 

The Silver Lining 9 

The Tide Will Turn 10 

The Soul II 

The Truth-Seeker . 12 

The City of the Dead 13 

HEARTSEASE 

The Solution 17 

Four Birthday Poems 18 

Farewell 24 

The Springtime of Love 25 

Saved 26 

Waiting 27 

When Alice Smiles 28 

My Love 29 

Purity . 30 

Love's Anniversary 31 

The Wedding-Day 32 

A BIT OF NONSENSE 

How Psyche Got Her Knot 35 

A Modern Model Wife 37 

The Theatrical Censor 39 

Hallowe'en in Birdland 41 



RANDOM LINES 

Christmas at Home ,. . . 45 

On the Burning of Proctor Academy 47 

The Volunteers 49 

A Warning 50 

The Battle-Cry of the Boers 52 

The Dupe 53 

Friendship 55 

AT NATURE'S SHRINE 

Aurora Boreahs . 59 

"The Heavens Declare the Glory 

of God" , 60 

Kearsage at Sunset. 61 

The Brook in Spring 64 



THE ABIDING HOPE 



THE SILVER LINING 

Every cloud has a silver lining, 

Every night brings the dawning day. 
Life is good, let there come what may; 
Waste no moments in sad repining: 
Every cloud has a silver lining. 

Every night brings the dawning day. 



THE TIDE WILL TURN 

The wind may rage, the sea may rave, 

The boat may shake from stem to stern, 
Yet, tossing on the stormy wave. 
Serenely waits the sailor brave — 
He knows the tide will turn ! 

O mind! beset with doubt and care, 
Scarce taught by lessons hard to learn, 

Strong steel thyself against despair; 

The tangled skein will lead thee where. 
Some day, the tide will turn! 

O heart ! tho' pain may sear and rend, 

Tho' seeming hopeless thou dost yearn. 
Fear not ! the longest road must end. 
All things in perfect love will blend — 
Have faith! the tide will turn! 

O life eternal ! quenchless flame, 

That still from age to age dost burn, 
Whose kinship truth alone may claim. 
Still, infant-like, we lisp thy name — 
And yet — the tide will turn ! 



lO 



THE SOUL 

The soul is not the body; 
It is not the face and the form, 
It is not the brains and the heart. 
All these are wonderful, 
Fashioned with Infinite wisdom, 
But they are not the soul : 
They are subservient to it. 

It is higher and nobler and grander; 

It is the seat of power. 

It controls the passions and the thoughts, 

Bending them to the law of eternal progress. 

The body must perish and decay; 

The soul is immortal. 



II 



THE TRUTH-SEEKER 

No creed is mine, no mystic faith I hold; 
In God I put my trust, and simply try 
To make myself a worthy son of Him 
Without whose care my soul would surely die. 
And when despair comes near and hope grows 

dim. 
My prayers ascend to God, as did of old 
The prayers of that blest "man of Galilee". 
Nor would I sneer at other men's beliefs, 
Nor ridicule what others sacred deem. 
My heart is with my fellow-man, in griefs, 
In joys, in sun and shade. I ever seem 
To hear a voice which softly whispers me: 
"Serve God, love man, seek truth, and fear 

thou not; 
Then wilt thou find this earth a hallowed 

spot." 



12 



THE CITY OF THE DEAD 

Beyond the city walls it lies, 

The City of the Dead, 
There, towering upward to the skies, 
The tall trees rise. 

And each one bows its head. 

Beneath its gateway's arch they pass, 
Those mourners pale and sad. 

How softly tread they o'er the mass 

Of glistening grass ! 

There's nought to make them glad. 

And yet 'tis selfish thus to weep 
For one who's gone beyond. 

For though his body seems so deep 

In silent sleep. 

New life on him has dawned! 



13 



HEARTSEASE 



THE SOLUTION 

Pondering over the questions dim, 
Searching the problems stern and grim, 
Troubled, perplexed, he strives in vain. 
Till there comes to his heart the sweet refrain 
"Love will find a way!" 



17 



FOUR BIRTHDAY POEMS 

(To the one who became my wife soon, af- 
ter the last of these poems was written.) 

I 

'Twas late one summer afternoon, 

And all the wood was still ; 
The sun was gently sinking down 

Behind the distant hill, 

I stood beside a little brook, 

Which swiftly ran along 
O'er gleaming sand and pebbles bright, 

With one unbroken song. 

And then I thought: "How like my life! 

No change and yet no rest ! 
So I must face the world alone, 

And strive to do my best. 

"But O ! this lonely life is hard. 

As through the world I move, 
With none to help or comfort me, 

Or give me love for love!" 

The sun had set; 'twas growing dark; 

I started on my way; 
Treading on unfamiliar ground, 

I feared lest I might stray. 
i8 



Uncertain, then, I wandered on, 

Till, suddenly, afar. 
Just where the sun had disappeared. 

Arose the evening star. 

It shone upon the narrow path 
And showed me where to go; 

It ne'er had seemed so bright tO' me, 
It ne'er had cheered me so. 

I safely reached my distant home; 

My welcome couch I sought; 
My eyelids closed in peaceful sleep, 

With no disturbing thought. 

At morn I rose with gladsome heart, 

For hope had come to me. 
T breathed the sweet, fresh morning air, 

And looked out o'er the sea. 

On that day first I saw thy face: 

Love rushed into my soul, 
And ere the sun had set again 

It gained complete control ! 

I love thee, darling, more than words 

Of mine can ever tell. 
Ah ! would'st thou but return my love, 

All would with me be well. 



19 



Not as the evening star art thou, 
That lights the traveler's way : 

Thou art the glorious morning star, 
That ushers in the day! 

Another year has passed thee by, 

A new one has begun: 
Thus time goes swiftly on and on, 

Till all our life is done. 

God send thee many, many years, 

All full of happiness. 
And grant that love may come some day. 

To bring thee perfect bliss I 

II 

The rain is falling gently 

Upon the thirsty earth. 
And the restful sound of the falling drops 

To visions giveth birth. 

I see a little maiden 

In dainty frock of white, 
Merrily tripping home from school. 

Ere falls the summer night. 

I see her pluck the flowers 

That grow beside the way. 
And twine them about in her golden hair, 

With laughter sweet and gay. 

20 



But lo ! the vision changes ; 

The maiden now appears 
With growing beauty of form and face, 

Brought by the added years. 

Again from school she's coming, 

But walking by her side 
Is a youth who carries the maiden's books, 

And his features glow with pride. 

And as I look more closely 

I almost cry aloud; 
For the maiden Is you and the youth Is I : 

No wonder he looks proud ! 

Young Cupid came to me, 

And stole my heart away; 
But he placed It In your gentle hands. 

And there I'll let It stay. 

And now the day has come. 

When you, a girl no more. 
With a woman's years and a woman's heart. 

Have learned love's sacred lore. 

No change of time or place 

Can dim our mutual love; 
For our souls are one, thank God ! for aye. 

Wherever we may rove. 

21 



Ill 

Another year gome by, sweetheart ! 

The happiest yet of all our life. 
What If some pain was mingled in ? 

Where were the joy were there no strife? 

Long have we loved each other, dear. 
Long have our hearts been almost one. 

Yet to the world we told it not 
Till this glad year was nearly gone. 

What now are months and years to us? 

We measure our time by love, dear heart ! 
Too short are the days when thou art near, 

Long, so long ! when we're far apart. 

God's care has kept thee safe from harm, 
The added grace of a year is thine; 

Thy love and trust have o'ercome thy doubts. 
And thou has placed thy hand in mine. 

God keep me true to that sacred trust. 

That thou may'st ne'er have aught to fear ! 

May his blessing rest on all thy life, 
Through many a happy, happy year ! 

IV 

Far up among the rugged northern hills. 
Beside a river lies the little town. 

Through field and wood flash countless tiny 
rills. 
That murmur softly as they trickle down. 

22 



Behind the hills, audi towering high above, 
The noble mountain rises, calm and grand. 

Upon the housetop coos the gentle dove ; 
The day is o'er, and peace is in the land. 

Beneath the guidance of the silent stars, 
Your hand in mine, the well loved road we 
tread. 
The perfect harmony no false note mars ; 
No fear disturbs our hearts, nor aught of 
dreaid. 

We need no words tO' tell our mutual love; 
Through years our faithful hearts have 
proved it true. 
The myriad worlds that fill the sky above 
Are no more steadfast than my love for 
you. 

Another year of your dear life Is gone. 

With all its share of pleasure and of pain. 
From out the east bright breaks the new year's 
dawn, 
, And life for you commences o'er again. 

God grant that ere another year be past 
We twoi may be together in one home ; 

United, body, heart and soul, at last. 

And happy in our love, whate'er may come ! 

23 



FAREWELL 

May God be with you, sweetheart; once again 
My all unwilling feet must bear me hence. 
That restless, noisy thing we call the world, 
Where men and women toil and fight and die, 
Is beckoning me with its resistless power 
To leave this calm, untroubled life of ease, 
And take my place 'mid that eternal strife. 

So for a little space of time, dear love, 

I may not hear the sound of your sweet voice, 

Nor read love's message in your tender eyes. 

But not forever, darling, do we part. 

For just as two small, babbling mountain 

brooks. 
That spring from sources many miles apart, 
Converge and form a full, clear-flowing 

stream. 
So our two lives, both now so incomplete, 
Some day must join and make one richer life. 

Farewell, my own ! May God's protecting 

arm 
Fold closely round you till we meet again. 



24 



THE SPRINGTIME OF LOVE 

O ! 'tis spring on the sweet green earth, 
And it's spring in the soft sky above ; 

And it's spring in my joyous heart — 
The glorious springtime of love ! 

The song of the robin is sweet, 

Sweetly murmurs the brook in the grove ; 
But sweeter than all to me 

Is the voice of the one I love. 

But my darling is far away. 

And I'm struggling along alone; 

And my heart grows faint at times, 
So far from my love, my own ! 

But I know that her love is true. 
And forever and ever she's mine ! 

As the ivy clings fast to the oak. 
So our two fond hearts intertwine. 

And the song of the bird and the brook 
Bring peace and delight to my heart; 

For the spring of our love's at the full. 
And the blossoms of hope newly start. 



25 



SAVED 

My strength was lost, my soul with sin was 
laved, 
No self-respect remained to urge me on; 
Hope, faith, ambition, pride — all these were 
gone: 
Love came, restored my strength, and I 
was saved ! 



26 



WAITING 

Far away from you, my darling, 
In the city grim and grey, 

I am waiting, sad and lonely. 
For the dawning of the day. 

Mid the eager, busy thousands, 
Each intent upon his own, 

I am passing, pushing, jostling, 
All unknowing and unknown. 

And the night is very dark, love. 
And 'tis hard to find the way; 

Oft 1 stumble in my weakness, 
Oft I wander far astray. 

I am longing for you, dearest. 
Longing your sweet face to see. 

I am weary of the darkness, 
And the night seems long to me. 

But the star of love shines brightly, 
Shedding hope-light on my way; 

So I wait ''until the day break. 
And the shadows flee away." 



27 



WHEN ALICE SMILES 

My heart is filled with pure delight, 
My joy attains its greatest height, 
When Alice smiles. 

As darkness flees at break of day. 
So cares and sorrows fade away, 
When Alice smiles. 

No fears can mar my happiness, 
Nor doubts destroy my perfect bliss, 
When Alice smiles. 

In vain I strive to free my soul. 
For love has gained complete control. 
When Alice smiles. 

And so I cease my useless task, 
And liberty I do not ask, 
When Alice smiles. 

Thus love and hope invade my breast. 
And I, too, smile, and am at rest. 
When Alice smiles. 



28 



MY love: 

'Tis not for thy beauty I love thee, 
'Tis not thy sweet face I adore ; 

For many a maiden has these things, 
But my love must have something more. 

Her heart must be pure and untainted, 
And modesty her greatest charm. 

Then I shall be able to love her; 
Ah ! then I shall ne'er feel alarm. 

And thou art so innocent, darling, 
So pure and so modest thou art. 

That rapture has entered my bosom, 

And thou, dear, hast captured my heart ! 



29 



PURITY 

Love, thy thoughts are clear as crystal, 
Pure thy words as sparkling dew; 

And thine actions, kind and gentle, 
All my soul with love imbue. 






30 



LOVE'S ANNIVERSARY 

The earth in wintry garb of white was dress- 
ed, 
The sky was clear, the day was calm and 
bright; 
Yet wildest throbbings rudely shook my 
breast. 
And newly wakened passion dimmed my 
sight. 

Through daily sight of your sweet face, dear 
heart, 
Acquaintance into friendship swift had 
grown. 
Time slower crept when we two were apart, 
Naught for your absence e'er could quite 
atone. 

Then, on a sudden, came the day which ne'er, 
E'en till my latest hour, shall I forget; 

For then my heart before my eyes lay bare — 
I knew I loved you — and I love you yet ! 

Six years ago ! And now the time draws near, 
If God so wills, when we shall part no 
more; 
And our true love will learn new gladness, 
dear. 
As, hand in hand, we enter Home's blest 
door. 

31 



the: WEDDING-DAY 

The sky is covered o'er with clouds 

Of pure and fleecy white; 
While through their rifts the summer sun 

Sifts down its golden light. 

The southern wind, so free and strong, 

Swift sweeps across the sky. 
And drives the clouds adown, its path, 

As birds that homeward fly. 

But two among the hastening throng 

Draw quietly away, 
And stealing off from all the rest, 

Drift down the sky's blue bay. 

But look ! As on and on they go. 

They near each other's sides ; 
And while we gaze they merge in one, 

Which smoothly forward glides. 

And so in life two loving souls, 

From all the world apart. 
Draw softly closer, till, at last. 

Heart joins itself to heart. 

God grant his blessing on these two, 

Henceforth to be as one ! 
May happiness attend their way. 

As Earth attends the sun. 
32 



A BIT OF NONSENSE 



HOW PSYCHE GOT HER KNOT 

Of Cupid and Psyche many have sung — 
Of how the dart pierced the fatal spot; 

But no-one has told the remarkable way 
Fair Psyche's hair first got in a knot. 

When first sly young Cupid saw his sweet 
love, 
She lay asleep on the hillside green; 
Her hair loosely falling from off her white 
brow 
Was fairer far than any he'd seen. 

But while he was gazing, rapt in delight, 
A lion fierce leapt from out the wood. 

And crouching low down to spring swift at 
the maid, 
Saw not the boy, who horrified stood. 

But Cupid an arrow snatched from his side 
And fitted quick to his tight-strung bow. 

The arrow sped rapid and straight till It 
reached 
The place where Psyche, sleeping, lay low. 

The breeze which the arrow made raised her 
hair, 
Which caught the dart in Its meshes dark; 

35 



The arrow, entangled, spun right round and 
round. 
And seemed too sure to fail of its mark. 

The maid's hair got wound in such a hard 
knot 
The arrow suddenly broke in two. 
Its head flew straight toward the wild, sav- 
age beast. 
And pierced the lion's heart through and 
through. 

And ever thereafter Psyche did wear 
Her hair done up in a tight, hard knot, 

In memory of how Cupid rescued her life 
And killed the beast with his wonderful 
shot. 



36 



A MODERN MODEL WIFE 

You've heard of model tenements, 

Of model modes of life ; 
Of artists' models you have read, 
Dressmakers' models, too, 'tis said. 
One model, though, is far ahead: 

A modern model wife. 

She goes to church, she goes to club. 

She entertains at home. 
She reads the latest novels through. 
She talks of art, and science, too. 
Her hair is red, her stockings blue : 

She's not a monochrome ! 

This model wife would never sweep, 

She washes not nor cooks. 
To do such work is not her place — 
A menial of some foreign race 
Must keep the house — her aims embrace 

Society and books. 

Her husband is a useful man^ — 

He pays for all she spends. 
He takes her to the theatre — 
The seats must be two dollars per — 
Where her smart gowns create a stir, 

Which satisfies her ends. 

37 



1 



His breakfast may be very bad, 

His dinner may be worse. 
It does not trouble her at all ; 
She has no sympathy at call. 
Her love for him is very small — 

She only loves his purse. 

Her friends applaud her lively wit, 

Her beauty men pursue. 
She lives on praise, she treads on air. 
Her heart and shoulders both are bare. 
Away with her — this modern snare — 

Give me a comrade true ! 



38 



THE THEATRICAL CENSOR 

(A suggestion to the advocates of a cen- 
sor for the American stage.) 

When the censor is established, 

To inspect the modern play, 
Will he frown on tights and sandals 

And forbid decollete? 

Will he make the trembling author 
Cut out lines that read like this. 

As suggestive : "Ain't she swell. Bill? 
Say, her ankle's just the biz !" 

Bernard Shaw'U be expurgated, 
Hall Caine's passion be subdued; 

George Ade will be warned that slang is 
Bad for morals, also rude. 

Comic opera comedians, 

Anticking about the stage. 
Will be told to make their "business" 

Proper sight for youth or age. 

Problem plays will not pass muster, 

If they go too near the line 
Which the censor says is "decent," 

If too mixed are "mine" and "thine". 



39 



Then the "trust" must make each actor 
And each actress whom it stars 

Prove to Censor they are moral — 
For the censor makes or mars. 

O ! 'twill be a wondrous era, 

Free from passion, free from rage, 

Free from fun and free from reason, 
When the censor rules the stage! 



40 



HALLOWE'EN IN BIRDLAND 

A wild and weary wogglebird was wistful in 

his woe: 
"I've never seen a ghost," he wailed, "and 

O! I want to so!" 
"There's no such thing," declared his friend, 

the cross and carking crow. 
"What I've not seen does not exist, and ghosts 

on trees don't grow." 

But late that night the wogglebird — 'twas 

on a Hallowe'en — 
Went slily to the graveyard, where ghosts on 

such nights are seen. 
He perched upon a monument all white with 

moonlight's sheen. 
And trembling violently, tried his feathers 

bright to preen. 

The clock struck twelve, 'twas very warm, and 

Woggly thought he'd roast. 
"I won't be scared, whatever comes," he said 

with careless boast. 
But then his feathers stood on end, for there, 

behind a post, 
All clad in white, he saw loom up a grinning, 

ghastly ghost. 



41 



The feeble, frightened wogglebird was too 

afraid to fly — 
The awful apparition swift approached with 

flaming eye. 
Poor Woiggly almost fainted when the ghost 

had got hard by. 
And then — the jay threw off the sheet and 

fled with mocking cry ! 



1 



42 



RANDOM LINES 



CHRISTMAS AT HOME 

Home again ! 
Now another year is ended, 
Pain and pleasure now have blended 
In the peace from love descended, 

And we're home again. 

Home again! 
Though for many months we're parted. 
Ne'er shall we be broken-hearted 
While the day this era started 

Brings us home again. 

Home again! 
On this day of memories dearest 
Hearts of home are ever nearest. 
And the light of love shines clearest, 

When we're home again. 

Home again! 
Though the sharpest pains have cleft us, 
And of one God hath bereft us. 
Yet are many dear ones left us. 

And we're home again. 

Home again! 
Far away is one, but never 
Aught from us his heart can sever, 
And we love him more than ever 

While we're home again. 

45: 



Home again! 
Here, through Love's blest ministration, 
Comes one more to take her station. 
Joins our happy celebration ; 

For she's home again. 

Home again! 
Father, Mother, children, lovers. 
Every one new joy discovers, 
While o'er all Love's spirit hovers, 

Here at home again. 



46 



ON THE BURNING OF PROCTOR 
ACADEMY 

Never again shall I see thee, 
Building so dear to my heart ! 

Victim of fire's desolation, 
Now but a ruin thou art ! 

Tears 'neath my eyelids are welling, 

Sorrow unmeasured is mine. 
Round thee fond memories are clustered 

Thick as the grapes on the vine. 

Home of my dear alma mater! 

'Tis hard to believe thou art gone ; 
Scene of those happy old school-days, 

Of Life's long day the bright dawn. 

Many the lessons I learned there, 
Many the fond friends I made ; 

Joyous the years that I spent there. 
In thy loved old belfry's shade. 

Sad and discouraged we mourn thee. 
We who have loved thee so long. 

Lonely we gaze at thy ashes, 

Hushed are our voices from song. 

Though in thy place a new structure 
Soon with fresh beauty may rise ; 

Though a new sweet-pealing belfry 

May rear its proud head toward the skies ; 
47 



Ne'er shall our fond hearts forget thee 
Thy glory shall ne'er fade away. 

Enshrined in our bosoms thou livest, 
Honored, beloved for aye I 



48 



THE VOLUNTEERS 

Again our country calls to arms 

Its brave and fearless men, 
To fight for liberty and truth — 

To bring back peace again. 

"America needs volunteers," 

Our president has said. 
Up ! fellow-countrymen, whose sires 

So oft for right have bled. 

No longer North and South are we : 

United now we stand. 
The answer comes from every state : 

"We'll serve our native land!" 

From North and South, from East and West, 

Our patriots hasten now. 
To free a land from tyranny, 

To make the tyrant bow. 

With joy we sing the grand old hymn: 

"My country, 'tis of thee"; 
And soon the dawn of peace will break. 

And Cuba shall be free! 

April, 1898. 

49 



A WARNING 

Why went ye forth to war? 
Ye patriots old and young, 
Whose praises poets have sung, 

Why went ye forth to war? 

"To fight for liberty, 

To crush a tyrant's hand, 
We served our native land^ — 

To set a nation free. 

"For this our blood we shed. 
And counted small the cost. 
What though some lives were lost 

And noble men are dead?" 

The soldier thus replies, 
With glowing, honest face. 
Ah ! leaders of our race. 

He puts to shame your lies. 

You sent these men to fight 
For conquest and for pelf ; 
You only thought of self — 

Naught cared you for the right. 

Beware! Our country's fame 

Is placed In danger now. 

Who'll stain Columbia's brow, 
And soil her honored name? 
50 



shall history's annals tell 

A story of disgrace? 

Did this brief war take place 
Our honor to dispel? 

God help our statesmen, then, 
To guard our native land 
From that ignoble band 

Of selfish, ruthless men ! 

Americans, be brave! 

Resist their tempting voice. 

Make carefully your choice: 
Honor — or honor's grave ? 

October, 1898. 



THE BATTLE.CRY OF THE BOERS 

Courage, brothers! Never falter! 

Victory is on our banners ; 

Once again the foe is vanquished, 

Driven back beyond the river. 

Forward ! in the cause of justice. 

Bring disaster to the tyrant, 

To the money-loving tyrant. 

Wrong cannot forever triumph : 

Be our part to check its progress, 

Stay the greedy hand of conquest, 

Shed our blood for right and freedom. 

Courage, brothers ! God is with us, 

And in far-off future ages 

History will relate our struggle. 

And our names be held in honor. 

January, 1900. 



52 



THE DUPE 

Came one with full red lips and wondrous 
form, 
And "Come," she said, "seek happiness 
with me. 
Scorn man-made laws, let foolish conscience 
storm. 
Live! Love! Forget! Drink deep of joy ! 
Be free!" 

And passion shone from lustrous, sparkling 
eyes, 

And burned its way into his doubting heart. 
He followed, revelling deep in glad surprise. 

As softly sweet she plied her sensuous art. 

Heart bound itself to heart in fond embrace. 
While all his body glowed with love's de- 
light. 
And "Surely this is life!" he cried. "Your 
face 
Smiles heaven to me, your kisses pierce the 
night!" 

Enraptured, neither time nor place he knew, 

Nor heeded on her lips the gathering smile 
Of scorn, as weary of her slave she grew. 
And swift her mind was clothed in cunning 
guile. 

53 



At last with cruel suddenness the veil 

Was rent from off his eyes — and she was 
fled! 
With mocking laugh she heard afar his wail, 
While on another's breast she leaned her 
head. 

Dead ashes round him thickly strewed the 
way, 
Dead relics of the vanished, empty dream. 
And cynic Fates spoke through the darksome 
day: 
"One more fool lost — a never-ending 
stream!" 



54 



FRIENDSHIP 

Two minds congenial, though oft-times op- 
posed; 
Two hearts in sympathy close intertwined ; 
Two souls that to each other ne'er are closed ; 
Both loving, trustful, patient, true and 
kind. 



5S 



AT NATURE'S SHRINE 



AURORA BOREALIS 

Cloudless sank the sun from sight, 
All the world was hushed and still. 

Darkness deepened into night, 
Stars appeared the heavens to fill. 

Suddenly across the sky- 
Flashed a wondrous, shining beam, 

Dimming all the stars on high 

With its swift and sudden gleam. 

Even as we gazed at this, 

Seemed the heavens filled with light — 
Seemed the glistening rays to kiss 

Everything within our sight. 

Spotless white were they at first. 
Then above our wondering eyes 

Into countless colors burst. 
Seeming o'er the stars to rise ! 

Wave on wave, of glorious hue. 

Trembling, glimmered through the air, 

Sparkling like the morning dew. 
And a thousand times more fair! 

But the splendid vision soon 

Faded silently away. 
And the slowly rising moon 

Ruled the firmament till day. 
59 



"THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE 
GLORY OF GOD" 

All day long It had rained ; 

Not with a steady, earth-flooding downpour, 

Pattering on the house-tops; 

But with a dull, monotonous drizzle. 

Rustling vaguely through the trees, 

Covering the grass with a heavy dew. 

Blinding the passer-by. 

And insinuating Itself Into his garments. 

A dreary day, filling the soul with sadness, 

Crushing the new-born hope to earth 

And bringing despair to the heart. 

So, at the close of day, 
As darkness sifted down upon the fields, 
We laid aside our books 
And looked idly into the west, 
Pausing a moment before we lighted the 
lamps. 

Suddenly the clouds seemed bursting asunder ; 
And as we gazed In speechless admiration. 
The rays of the setting sun filled all the west 
With dazzling brilliancy. 
Long lines of silver light near the horizon; 
Above, fluffy purple and violet clouds. 
Edged with gleaming gold. 
Higher still, and all around the others, 
FJeecy masses of bright golden mist. 
60 



Higher and higher rose the glorious clouds, 

Piling themselves in harmony of color. 

Wider and wider became the rifts, 

Till, in the zenith. 

All this marvellous wonder of the heavens 

Melted into a delicate, pale-blue sky. 

So we watched, till all faded into darkness; 
Then, turning happily away. 
We drew the curtains and filled the room with 
light. 



6i 



KEARSARGE AT SUNSET 

The day is nearly over, 

The sun Is lost to sight ; 
And shadows now are falling, 

The heralds of the night. 

The lofty mountain rises 

Above the nearer hill: 
Magnificent at noon-day, 

It now is grander still. 

Apart from other summits 

Proud Kearsarge takes its stand, 
As if it scorned to mingle 
With anything less grand. 

Above, the bright clouds flitting. 

In many-hued array, 
With gold and silver linings, 

Bid farewell to the day. 

A golden radiance glimmers 
Upon the mountain's head: 

The sun's last rays come hither, 
Before the day is dead. 

Though many loftier summits 

In other places rise, 
Thou, Kearsarge, hast a glory 

That no-one can despise. 
62 



Raise high thy noble forehead, 
In day's departing light; 

For ne'er was seen by mortal 
A more inspiring sight ! 



63 



THE BROOK IN SPRING 

When May-time skies smile o'er the town 

Or gentle showers are falling, 
The north-land sends a whisper down — 

The mountain brook is calling. 

From dust and din I hie me out 

To where the flowers are growing. 

I seek the home of speckled trout, 
In waters swiftly flowing. 

Through fern-clad vales, down steep cascades, 

The brook is gaily rushing. 
Adown its banks, mid woodland shades, 

The Mayflower soft is blushing. 

White curling o'er the jagged ledge, 
The foam like snow is breaking; 

The sun-beams strike along its edge. 
The myriad rainbows waking. 

With rod and fly I lure the fish 
From out the pool's deep hiding. 

The alder branches softly swish 
While past them I am gliding. 

The daylight fades; the veery's song 
Rings sweetly through the gloaming. 

Farewell, dear stream ! Near thee I long 
Forever to be roaming. 
64 



«5aV 29 1909 



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NOV 29 1909 



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